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F78 RPA

1989 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Jan 2027
Tests33 (21 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

149,916 mi
Last recorded149,916 miles
Recorded on16 Jan 2026
Typical for 1989 Land Rover Defender127,912 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF78 RPA
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1989
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

21 pass 12 fail
Pass 16 Jan 2026 149,916 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

battery tray corroded and holed

rear exhaust box deteriorated

Pass 20 Jan 2025 147,926 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Hazard warning tell-tale is not a flashing light (4.9.2 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Jan 2025 147,923 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting floor (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Hazard warning tell-tale is not a flashing light (4.9.2 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 26 Jan 2024 146,180 miles

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive coil spring hanger (5.3.6 (a) (i))

rear exhaust box deteriorated

Fail 17 Jan 2024 146,177 miles

Fuel tank leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive coil spring hanger (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

rear exhaust box deteriorated

Pass 12 Jan 2023 143,958 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 12 Jan 2023 143,956 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play steering drop arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Jan 2022 141,427 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 11 Jan 2021 138,422 miles

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

floor corroded

fuel tank mounting corroded

Pass 7 Jan 2020 134,927 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases tail box (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear hub seal leaking

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play steering drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 6 Jan 2020 134,925 miles

Front Prop shaft joint excessively worn x2 (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn x2 (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases tail box (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering linkage ball joint has slight play steering drop arm ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 14 Jan 2019 131,899 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 11 Jan 2019 131,896 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn axel tie bar x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn axel tie bar x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength central (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 8 Jan 2018 128,370 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear tyre pearished

Oil leak ()

steering box damp

Fail 5 Jan 2018 128,310 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (1.3.2e)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear tyre pearished

Oil leak ()

steering box damp

Pass 5 Jan 2017 123,966 miles

Nearside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak ()

rear cross member rusty

Pass 11 Jan 2016 118,695 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke at idle (7.4.A.1)

oil leek

rear cross member and battory box corr/holed

Fail 11 Jan 2016 118,695 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke at idle (7.4.A.1)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

oil leek

rear cross member and battory box corr/holed

Pass 19 Jan 2015 112,555 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Oil leak

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

front pads low

rear cross member damaged and split

Fail 9 Jan 2015 112,555 miles

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Steering damper leaking oil (2.2.C.1f)

Steering system excessively tight (2.2.D.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Oil leak

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

front pads low

rear cross member damaged and split

Pass 20 Dec 2013 106,488 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Oil leak

front prop uj

Pass 20 Dec 2012 101,277 miles

Offside Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 12 Jan 2012 97,365 miles

chassis surface rust

Fail 12 Jan 2012 97,365 miles

Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

chassis surface rust

Pass 14 Jan 2011 94,044 miles

rear cross member/chassis surface rust

Pass 15 Jan 2010 90,600 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

o/s rear x/member corr/weak

oil leak

slight play in drop arm ball joint

steering box damp

Fail 15 Jan 2010 90,600 miles

Centre Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

o/s rear x/member corr/weak

oil leak

slight play in drop arm ball joint

steering box damp

Pass 13 Jan 2009 87,683 miles

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

o/s/r chassis corr/weak

oil leak

steering box damp

steering pump damp

Fail 13 Jan 2009 87,683 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

o/s/r chassis corr/weak

oil leak

steering box damp

steering pump damp

Pass 11 Jan 2008 85,411 miles
Pass 8 Jan 2007 83,339 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2006 81,296 miles
Fail 16 Jan 2006 812,083 miles

Indicator switch faulty (1.4.A.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

How Reliable is the Land Rover Defender?

Based on 2,960,045 MOT tests across 181,953 vehicles.

72.3%
Pass Rate
3,550
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
181,953
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 77,499
Brake pipe excessively corroded 77,229
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 57,749
position lamp(s) not working 53,914
Stop lamp not working 52,341
Full Land Rover Defender reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

F78 RPA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

Across all 1989 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 127,912 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Land Rover Defender fails its MOT is shock absorber has an excessively worn bush, accounting for 77,499 recorded failures. If you're considering buying F78 RPA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Defender typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 37 years old, this Land Rover Defender is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of F78 RPA?

You can check the full history of F78 RPA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F78 RPA registered?

F78 RPA is a 1989 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 13 April 1989.

Is F78 RPA safe to buy?

The MOT history for F78 RPA shows 33 tests with a 63.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F78 RPA have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on F78 RPA. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.